SOME $13 MILLION URGENTLY NEEDED TO HELP MOZAMBIQUE'S FARMERS REBUILD HOMES
AND START PLANTING

Rome, 27 March -- Reconstruction of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in
Mozambique will require at least $13 million for the next six months to address
the needs of rural people returning to their villages while flood waters
are receding, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today in
a new appeal. The FAO appeal reflects the better understanding of the
agriculture-related damage in Mozambique since the floods have started to
recede.

"There are more than 120,000 farmers and their families in desperate need
of assistance in the southern and central provinces of Mozambique," said
Anne M. Bauer, Chief of FAO's Special Relief Operations Service. "They need
emergency support so they can rebuild their homes and fields to start planting
immediately and prepare for the main agricultural season, which begins next
September."

Roads, irrigation systems, and farm equipment were severely damaged by the
recent flooding, the worst in 40 years. Many farm animals were drowned and
animal disease control facilities were destroyed, Ms. Bauer said. Almost
140,000 hectares of crops such as maize, beans, rice, sweet potatoes, groundnuts
(peanuts) and vegetables have been destroyed, or seriously affected. Food
and seed stocks were also seriously damaged and in many cases washed away.
Major irrigation systems have been destroyed.

FAO estimates that 350,000 cattle, goats and sheep, between 70-80 percent
of the livestock in the affected areas, have died or have been seriously
injured. The threat of animal diseases could increase, FAO warned.

Many major markets and local food supply systems have been completely disrupted
and agro-industry and food-processing activities have been halted.

Almost 6,000 small-scale fishers have lost 50 percent of their boats, fishing
nets and fishing gear.

Emergency assistance for the agricultural sector will include seed packs
and basic tools, FAO said. Providing vegetable seeds could improve the
nutritional situation of the flood-stricken households. Veterinary drugs
will need to be supplied and diagnostic facilities rehabilitated.

Emergency activities will also support small-scale fishers, helping restore
their main source of food. Marketing infrastructure will need to be rebuilt
as quickly as possible to help revive the rural economy.

The FAO appeal is part of the United Nations Inter-Agency Appeal launched
together with the government of Mozambique. FAO previously appealed for $2.5
million.